Sandhills Presbyterian Church

Sandhills Presbyterian Church supports the following mission works around the world:

Matt and Laura, In His Image, Central Asia

Since 1989 In His Image has brought medical care and the love of Christ to the far reaches of our hurting world. In July 2005, In His Image International was formed as a non-profit organization overseeing our international medical missions outreaches around the world.
We support Matt and Laura.  They have served in Central Asia for 10 years disclipling doctors and medical students to see them equipped to take the good news of Jesus to the unreached. Matt and Laura recently returned to the field after a year’s furlough when Laura finished her student teaching and received her elementary education certificate. Laura is now teaching the 4th grade at an International School where the majority of her students are children of missionaries. Matt continues to lead the family medical clinic there which trains doctors in family medicine as well as ministry skills. At the training clinic there are three staff doctors who have completed the program. Please pray for a new group of doctors to train and for political stability and religious freedom in Central Asia.

Earl and Rosie Adams, Mission to the World, Bolivia

Earl is originally from Selma, Alabama and Rosie is from Waialua, Hawaii. They recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary.  Earl and Rosie were called to missions during their time at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS to be obedient to the Great Commission. After graduation they served with MTW for 11 years, mainly in the country of Peru as church planters in the Hinterland Ministry. Earl then served as assistant pastor for pastoral care at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS for nearly four years, and then served as pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Madison, FL.

Earl and Rosie have been called to minister to the Quechuas once again. Their burden for the Quechua people of the Andes Mountains in South America has remained close to their hearts. With over 12 million people, they are the largest unreached people group in all of the Americas, and for the most part, have never even heard the name of Jesus before. Please pray for Earl and Rosie as they minister through church planting and evangelism among the Quechuas.

Earl and Rosie have two daughters, Elizabeth Leilani (Lani) Sewell and Carla. Lani is stateside with a family of her own, and Carla is with Earl and Rosie in Bolivia.

Jamie/Jen Burkemper, Mission to the World, Mexico

The Burkempers ask for prayer for the following areas:
*For their efforts in raising support, that many more doors would be opened for them to share God’s great work
*For their daughter, Jossi’s, diabetes, which is difficult to control at school.  She is currently on homebound school.  Pray for her and for wisdom on the decisions that the Burkempers need to make regarding school options.
*That violence in Juarez, Mexico, would subside for the peace and safety of the citizens of Juarez as well so that construction could begin on the New Community Center
*Wisdom for leaders at MTW and BEAMM as they make decisions each day

www.beamm.org

Through evangelism, Bible translation and discipleship, missionaries serving with New Tribes Mission plant churches among unreached people groups.

Daniel, Stephanie, and their two children have serving been in Guinea, West Africa, as tribal church planters since in May of 2008.  They lived in Boke (4-5 hours from the capital, Conakry) for the first 8 months.  There, they had Muslim hosts and attended a small church.  Stephanie was involved with a small women’s Bible study and the local volleyball team.  Their goal was to improve their French and learn Guinean culture.  In February 2009, they moved to the capital of Guinea, Conakry where more French is spoken and where there are more Christians.  They moved into a church compound where they were warmly received by Christian hosts.  This was a very different experience…to have Christian hosts with whom they were able to share their hearts and goals.  They love living inside the church compound!  There is a lot of space for the kids and lots of opportunities for ministry.  And, there is a library where Stephanie has been giving free English lessons.  There is a basketball court as well and the kids love to play soccer in the parking lot.  Micah picked up a lot of French in his 4 months of preschool and enjoys playing with the neighbor kids who “dare” to come in and talk to the “white kid”!  Their goals in Conkary have been to continue improving their French and to welcome new missionaries to the field.  This year, they have set up 4 missionary families with host churches and families.  Daniel met with available and willing pastors/laymen who were interested in hosting missionary families.  Then they worked with them to find suitable housing and helped them to set up the houses for the new missionaries.

Unfortunately, two weeks after leaving Conakry, Guinea, in the Fall of 2009, the country spiraled into political chaos where many died after a protest against the president.  Then just recently, there was a botched assassination attempt on the president’s life.  The Dias plan to return in May 2010, after the birth of their third son.  Lord willing, things will have settled down by then and they’ll be able to return to their home. Their heart’s desire is still to do Bible translation among an unreached people group…that hasn’t changed.  If not Guinea, they still feel the Lord leading them back to West Africa and they’ll trust Him to guide them!    So, they’re waiting on God to show them where.

The Dias’ send out regular email updates.

You can also visit their blog  www.danielandstephaniedias.blogspot.com for updates / praises / prayer requests.

The Goodwins are currently just over one year into support raising and at nearly 50%. They will be over halfway with a few more pledges …

Their timeline right now is to move to England (likely London) by end of 2010 and that they will be fully settled for the Christmas season. January 2011, they will be in Brussels, Belgium for a one-month-long pre-field training.  Currently Sam is still working full-time as a computer programmer to help them become debt-free as soon as possible, which is their #1 priority.  They spend much of their “free time” and lunch hours contacting churches.

Once in England, they expect to be partnered with an English pastor to start a new church planting effort in whatever area we are placed. Their preference is a major urban center or University city. London is the most likely destination, but there are needs literally all around the country.

Prayer requests:
*They are expecting their third child in the summer, so this will be another transition for them as a family.  Please pray for the health of this unborn Covenant child, as well as strength for Elizabeth to mother their daughters and this one well.
*Please pray God will move in a mighty way to remove their debt so they can be single-minded about their support-raising. With Sam working a fairly intense job it is very difficult for him to switch gears to cold-calling churches in the middle of his work day. Also, all missions conferences and church meetings they attend mean he has to take vacation time.
*Pray that God will open doors for them in new congregations and also meeting individuals who will catch their passion for the lost in England.
*Pray for the nation of England that is wrapped in spiritual darkness. Only 1% of the English population is what we would call evangelical Christian, and most congregations are very small (20-30) and discouraged.

The Goodwins send out a weekly email update.

Sandra Hart, Mission to the World, Philippines

Sandra Hart has been an MTW Missionary to the Philippines for almost 7 years. She is the mother of four grown, married daughters and has seven grandchildren. Sandra grew up in a non-Christian home but God used many churches and Sunday school teachers to reach out to her. She became a Christian by God’s grace at the age of sixteen. Their efforts to help her understand who Jesus is have been the driving force in her life to train others how to teach children and evangelize them. She has been a member of Northside Presbyterian Church, Burlington, NC since she was 20 years old.

Six months after her husband died in 2000, she went on a short –term medical missions trip as one of the RN’s on a MTW medical team.

Why the Philippines?  God spoke to her heart about the Philippines 30 years ago in an unforgettable way. After visiting the Philippines and holding medical clinics, God confirmed in her heart the deep desire to work in Philippines. Then, God provided the support she needed to go. It has been a tremendous blessing for her to work side by side with the Filipino’s.

Her ministry in the Philippines involves mostly Christian education, translation of Sunday School material into a local language, Tagalog, (Children’s Ministry International Catechism Lessons) and teacher training classes to equip the nationals. She also works closely with the Street Children’s homes to provide weekly catechism classes.  Sandra’s vision as a missionary in the Philippines is to equip the nationals to make disciples in their community and churches.  They have completed the translation of six series’ into Tagalog.  In 2008, the General Assembly approved for the Sunday School materials to be used by the Presbyterian denomination there.  This will be their first Sunday School material ever in their language.  The desire of Sandra and the team she works with is that all 200 churches in the denomination in the Philippines will begin using these materials that they have worked so hard on.

Sandra thanks us for our faithful support and the love we have to reach the Filipino people especially the “Street Children” at the Street Children’s Orphanage (which we also support financially).  All the Street Children at “Ang Bahay Parola“ are taught the catechism lessons and they have seen some of these very children start teaching these same catechism lessons to younger children in their churches and community. Our support helps make this possible.

•    In March 2009, the place Sandra works, Christian Education Center of Excellence (CECE), was begun in an office at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) in the Philippines.  They work together to motivate and train teachers to “Reach the Next Generation”.
•    Please pray as they begin translating the material in other major languages.
•    Pray for the six churches that are being planted on the island of Luzon.
•    Pray for Sandra as she will be the only missionary from her original MTW team to be working in the Philippines.

Based in Moore County, Helping Hands is a nondenominational Christ centered organization.  They spread the Gospel through meeting heartfelt needs of people world-wide by delivering goods at no charge to the poor all over the world, providing a link between those in need and the Christian churches or organizations that give to them.  Helping Hands is committed to unity in the body of Christ through collaboration with other organizations.  They provide opportunities for personal growth through missions.  Their mission is to show Christ’s love for others by meeting needs worldwide.

Founders Tony and Donna Haywood made their first missionary journey 11 years ago to Haiti, where they saw many sick and living in poverty. Returning to the US, they appealed for relief medicines and brought back many boxes of antibiotics. They were told Haitian officials would never allow them to pass through customs, but God intervened, and the medicine was miraculously brought in and distributed. Since then, the Haywoods have traveled extensively to meet needs in many lands.  They started with donated goods kept in 5 small warehouses, but now have one large warehouse in Southern Pines.  They distribute food, toys and other supplies to schools and orphanages; and medical equipment to emergency hospitals in Kenya, Ecuador, Russia, Panama, Honduras and other countries, as well as the US.

Tony and Donna have been married for 32 years and are both life-long residents of Moore County.  They have an adult son who also lives here.  In addition to their ministry efforts with Helping Hands, Donna works as a bookkeeper for a company in Seven Lakes.  Tony drives a garbage truck two days a week and installs kitchen cabinets for two cabinet makers. They also work with a local auctioneer when there is work.  For Helping Hands, the Haywoods make a monthly trip to the hospital to pick up supplies, make regular calls on local rest homes, and pick up donations of furniture, kitchen items, clothing, blankets, exercise equipment, sometimes vehicles and more from individuals.

In 2009, HHM is working to become a sending agency for other missionaries.  They are receiving contacts from other ministries already working in other countries and are supporting ministries in Togo, West Africa, Mumbai, India, Andaman Islands, and Kenya.  They are praying about others.

HHM has just completed a mission trip to West Virginia where they transported food, clothing and quilts to a pastor there who drives about 1,000 miles every weekend to hold services at three churches that he has established.  In 2010, they are hoping to make a trip to Honduras, a few more to WV and where ever else God opens the door. They hope to complete three shipments to Honduras and will probably supply medical supplies to at least two other ministries.

They also sent a complete Braille Bible (that was donated to them) to a ministry that will ship it to a blind school in Liberia, West Africa.

The Haywoods are presently setting up a mission to the Myanmar Refugees that are being brought in to Greensboro, NC.  HHM will help furnish the household items required by our government for each family once they arrive in the states.

Steve and Dianne Hill, Christian Missionary Society, Peru

In addition to serving as our Assistant Pastor right here at Sandhills Presbyterian, Steve and Dianne Hill have served at six other PCA Churches. They have been on mission trips to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Peru.  After much prayer, they have accepted the call to go to Cajamarca, Peru as missionaries with Christian Missionary Society, where they will work with Dr. Alonzo Ramirez and his family.

What Will The Hill’s do in Peru?

Steve will do many things:
*Oversee the university campus fellowships at Cajamarca
Reformed University
*Mentor native pastors and elders at four church plants
*Teach occasionally at Biblical Reformed Seminary
*Be involved in mercy ministries
*Organize/guide short-term mission teams that serve in Peru.

Dianne will also do many things:
*Teach in a public school with Dr. Alonzo’s wife, Esther.
*Help start an ESL (English as a Second Language) school for adult professionals in Cajamarca
*Serve Dr. Alonzo as a secretary of sorts.

The Christian Missionary Society (CMS) also has long-term plans for a Christian radio station and a printing shop to publish the reformed faith in Cajamarca.  Through His preparation, Steve helped start a radio station in Mississippi and Dianne managed a large print shop in California.
Their first task in Peru will be to attend a six month language school.

The Most Asked Question:  “When are the Hills going to Peru?”  When the money is raised, they will leave.  They now have about 82% of the amount they need for ‘launching’ costs ($29,000.00  - for-  Visas, Travel Expenses, Moving Expenses, Language School Tuition, + room and board expenses.)  Churches and friends have pledged 45% of our annual support needs. ($46,000.00)  Please join them in praying for a spring 2010 departure so they can be there for the start of language school.

What Other Needs Do The Hill’s Have?
*‘Frequent Flyer Miles’ that can be used for their flights to Peru.
*Other team members

-High school graduates with some Spanish skills to join them for a summer or a full year.   They will be put to work in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program and the Public School Program.  And, they would be safe and loved in the home of the Hills with the opportunity to see and do much to ‘stretch and grow’ in the Lord.
-College graduates with Spanish skills to assist with the campus ministry in the universities.

Steve and Dianne send out a monthly email letter detailing their ‘Peru Pursuit’.

www.perumission.org

Jake and Melissa Hunt, World Harvest Mission

Jake and Melissa were both blessed to grow up in Christian homes, and began to be more serious about their faith in college. They met in 1999 at the University of Georgia, where they were both involved at the Wesley Foundation, an evangelical campus ministry. After college Melissa joined Wesley’s staff as an Associate Director, and Jake served for 2 years as an intern. They were married in 2002.

In 2004 the Hunts moved to Charlotte, NC for Jake to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. Having loved their time in Athens, they anticipated seminary being a hard season, but they were thankfully mistaken! They found a home at Uptown Church, where they were deeply involved, Jake was trained by the pastors, and they learned firsthand about the importance of the local church and church planting.

As Jake started his final year of seminary, he and Melissa learned that Faith Community Church in Prague, a joint venture of Uptown and World Harvest, needed more team members. They visited Prague in the fall of 2006, loved the Prague team and their vision, and began making plans to join them. They have 2 boys: Sam (born 2007) and Foard (born 2009).

The Hunts moved to Prague in January 2010. Jake is serving as Assistant Pastor of Faith Community Church, working especially in planning and leading worship. The Hunts also lead a small-group Bible study and work to build relationships with believers and nonbelievers in Prague.

Faith Community Church seeks to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the international community of Prague by transforming themselves, each other, and the city for their good and God’s glory. Our vision is to be a reproducing church-plant that is focused on expanding the kingdom of Jesus Christ through intentional, relational outreach and personal discipleship.

Ricardo Santana, Mexico

In addition to serving as the Senior Pastor at Corpus Christi Church, Ricardo Santana-Rivas is a Church Planter and serves as the Dean of Theology at San Pablo Seminary in Merida, Mexico.  He practiced medicine until 1982.  He and his wife, Ana, have adult two children.  They are expecting their first grandchild in the Spring of 2010.  Ricardo worked with World Vision International until he attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and has planted at least 5 “mission churches”.  We have been working with Ricardo for a number of years as we send Mission Teams from Sandhills Presbyterian to work in Mexico.

With the help and direction of Ricardo, each year, a team from Sandhills Presbyterian goes to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, to work at a church.  In the future, we will be working with a new Mission Church, “Camino, Verdad y Vida”, located at the West of Merida.

We are partnering with Corpus Christi to start a new church “Adonai” located in West Merida.  A San Pablo Seminary Student, Omar Martinez, is serving at Adonai.

Jim and Sara Ward, Mission to the World, Peru

Jim and Sara Ward along with their 3 children, Caroline (12), Chloe (10) and Eli (7) are serving in Lima, Peru with Mission to the World.  They have been there since February, 2008.  Their vision verse is Matt 4:23: Jesus went through Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”  As missionaries in Lima, they want to be teaching, preaching and working in ministries of mercy and justice.

After going through extensive language study classes, Jim has begun to preach in their home church, Luz de Vida.  He is excited to share the Word of God with the people in his community.  He asks that we pray for the Lord to raise up elders and deacons and leaders for each ministry in the church plant “Luz de Vida.”

One of the other ministries that Sara Ward and their oldest daughter, Caroline, are involved with is the street girls’ home, which is called “House of Glory”.  Sarah and Caroline enjoy interacting with the girls and their babies and are teaching them how to make jewelry.  They are hoping to turn the jewelry making into a small business that will bring in needed income for this ministry.

Because the Ward’s have lost some of their supporters, they are still in need of financial support.  Please pray that God will raise-up additional supporters to cover their needs.

They love being a part of a vibrant team which consists of 2 other families, a single lady and an administrator. They ask that we pray that the team will encourage one another and believe everyday in the promises of God so that their love will overflow to one another as well as the Peruvians.

www.mtwsa.net/limanewcity

For direct contact information or for information on where to send support for these missionaries, please contact the church office by email or by phone at (910) 692-5834.